How To Plan a Full House Renovation

Renovating a full house can be daunting but with a plan and the right preparation you can turn your house into your dream home. Whether you are doing a big home renovation or just some smaller projects, planning is key to managing everything from structural changes to cosmetic updates.

Follow this guide to get through your home renovation project.

1. Set Your Renovation Goals and Budget – The Planning Phase

First, set out your house renovation project goals. Renovation projects can be overwhelming, make sure before you start, make sure you have a clear vision and set measurable renovation plans.

Are you updating the ground floor layout, adding a loft conversion or a new bathroom? Create a full renovation plan that includes each room’s renovation goals, big and small jobs so you can transform your entire house.

Make sure to factor in your budget and remember that unexpected costs or additional expenses (waste removal, extra materials etc) will arise.

2. Get Necessary Permissions and Approvals

Planning permission and building regulations approval are required for many home renovations. Check with your local planning department to see if your project needs a planning application.

Some parts of house renovations like a garage conversion or certain exterior renovations may be permitted development and won’t need formal approval. But always check with the local planning authority especially for big projects.

3. Full Building Survey

For an older property a full survey is essential. This will highlight any structural issues, drainage connections, period features, foundation problems. The survey will also show you any original features worth preserving which will add value to the property.

Based on the building report you may need to bring in a structural engineer to assess things like wall stability or load bearing requirements.

4. House Renovation Checklist

A house renovation checklist is a must have for staying on track. Include:

• Create detailed plans with an interior designer

• Arrange temporary storage space for furniture

• Plan for waste removal for debris and unused materials

• Schedule first fix work, like plumbing and central heating installation

By having a checklist you can manage each stage of the renovation and not miss anything.

5. Get Reliable Tradespeople

Finding reliable tradespeople is key to a successful renovation. Get quotes from a few good builders, electricians, plumbers and other professionals. This will give you an idea of the renovation costs and allow you to compare.

You may want to work with tradespeople who specialise in your specific renovation needs, like window frames, drainage or light fittings installation.

6. Get the Building Work Underway

With your tradespeople and plans in place it’s time to start the building work. This stage usually starts with big building work and demolition, then foundation work and framing.

If your project involves major changes like moving walls or adding new windows be prepared for additional building control inspections to make sure everything meets safety standards.

7. Manage the Renovation Schedule

Renovating a house is all about timing. Plan the renovation stages step by step and leave some wiggle room for delays. For example, once the first fix stage is complete you can move on to tasks like plastering, painting and installing new fixtures.

Be mindful of the order as some jobs need to be done before others to avoid rework or damage.

8. Control Costs and Track Expenses

Renovations can blow out of budget if not monitored, get a few quotes before starting your project and track every expense, including building materials, labour and permits.

Allow for extra costs like upgrading your heating system or modern construction methods. Monitoring your renovation costs will keep the project on track financially.

9. Finish with the Interior and Final Fixes

The final stages of a renovation project involve adding interior details like light fittings, flooring and fixtures. Now you can focus on home improvements like painting, fixing period features or installing new appliances. Small details like stylish light fittings or upgraded window frames can take even a large scale renovation project to the next level.

10. Inspect and Enjoy

Once the renovation work is done do a final inspection to make sure everything is in place. Check for little jobs and make sure each room is what you wanted. With planning and attention to detail you can turn your whole house into your dream home.

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